Landmark for Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village

The Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village to be built in the east of the City centre today (March 6) passed a crucial stage in its development, when the Board of NHS Grampian approved the full business case for the multi million pound facility.

"We are delighted that this exciting project for Aberdeen has successfully passed this critical stage of approval," said Jackie Bremner, Project Director and Service Planning Lead for Aberdeen City Community Health Partnership (CHP). "The next step is for the full business case to be submitted to the Scottish Government for final approval. This will be the first 'Design, Build, Finance and Maintain' contract taken forward under the Scottish Futures Trust hubCo delivery process."

The project is designed to provide the people of Aberdeen with a wide range of community-based out-patient diagnostic and treatment services. These will include out-patient clinics, minor surgery, dentistry, radiology, sexual health services, podiatry, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics; an advice and information centre for carers, a healthpoint information service, and learning space that can be used by patients, carers and staff. There will also be accommodation for services provided in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Grampian Police.

The six thousand square metre facility on Frederick Street will occupy three levels, including a 39 space car park for essential staff.

Richard Carey, Chief Executive of NHS Grampian added: "This major initiative is fully consistent with NHS Grampian's strategic 2020 vision. It will ensure that services are more accessible within the community, complementing the health and care services provided in GP surgeries and health centres. Also supporting people to remain within their own homes and have more control over their health and wellbeing. Working closely with GPs and the staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) it will facilitate the provision of more treatment and diagnosis within the community and reduce the need to go to ARI unless there is a need for very urgent or highly specialised services."

Some of the services currently in healthcare buildings due to close in the next few years - Denburn Health Centre, Woolmanhill Hospital, Square 13 and the Westburn Centre - will relocate to the Health Village.

The new site will include an adjacent 185 space multi-storey car park for the public, built, owned and operated by Aberdeen City Council. The council's East North Street and Frederick Street car parks will close on the March 10 to allow the construction to begin.

Assuming Government approval later in the month, work is scheduled to begin at the end of March with the Health Village coming into operation in December 2013.